Fresno farmer turns passion for legacy crops into community celebration
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- At 86, Will Scott Jr. still starts his days before sunrise, tending his farm and working to preserve what he calls the legacy crops that helped build the country.
Scott, a Fresno farmer and co-founder of African-American Farmers of California, said his work focuses on growing and promoting crops with deep historical significance.
"I'm dedicating my life to legacy crops that actually built this country. Like you talk about your black-eyed peas, your okra, tomatoes, watermelons and your yams," Scott said.
Scott co-founded African-American Farmers of California in 1997 and said farming still motivates him.
"This is what keeps me going," he said.
He also said access and opportunity remain important issues for farmers.
"We need to look at equity. What we're looking for is a fair opportunity. Access to the same thing that the other farmers have," Scott said.
On his farm, one crop still needs a few more weeks before it is ready for harvest. Scott said he has planted black-eyed peas and purple hull peas.
"What we have planted here are black-eyed peas and also purple hull peas. It looks like a black-eyed pea," he said.
Scott said he prefers purple hull peas.
"To me, I prefer purple ones over black-eyed because they're a little sweeter," he said.
As the crop matures, Scott is also preparing for a community celebration centered on black-eyed peas.
"We're having a Black-Eyed Pea Festival coming up October 3rd," Scott said, "We're going to have a contest where people can enter their own rendition of how they prepare the black-eyed peas."
The celebration will be held next to the Fresno City College West Fresno Center.
Reflecting on the area where the festival will take place, Scott said the neighborhood has changed significantly over the decades.
"West side's looking a lot different from 1952. Because at that same location, I used to pick grapes and pick cotton. Wow. At that same location. So we've come a long way," he said.
The 1st annual Central Valley Blackeye Pea Festival and Cook-Off will take place on Saturday, October 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
